The Malpass Brothers

“Folks follow the Malpass Brothers not unlike those that follow the Grateful Dead. Like that grand experience of mass migration toward a musical experience, these Malpass Groupies would travel anywhere to see their musical heroes and they know where and when they are playing. These young Malpass men communicate viscerally to older folks, many of whom literally came from the Land, the dirt that sustained them and comprises the core of their essential values. These Country and Western troubadours hail from eastern North Carolina and are not only the creators of fine melody, but are the ad hoc leaders of a local movement of folks who are as comfortable watching early Andy Griffith reruns as they would be in helping your young daughter change a busted tire along the side of a dark country road.” – Wyatt Sandman Day

As young boys, Christopher and Taylor Malpass soaked up the music of their granddad’s phonograph records. Christopher earned his first talent show trophy at age 7, and Taylor was playing mandolin by the time he was 10. Today, they promote the work and music of classic country artists they treasure while creating new music and making their own mark in the lineage of a rich American cultural heritage.

With sincerity, honesty and an utter ease on stage that belies their years, their smooth vocal blend and skillful musicianship layer infectiously into the deep respect they pay to legends who have paved the way. Add the funny, off-the-cuff quips between the two 20-something siblings, and the engaging concert becomes a magnetic time-traveling journey to when a calmer rhythm reigned supreme.

The Malpass Brothers toured with the late Don Helms, former steel guitarist for Hank Williams, have opened for music legend Merle Haggard on multiple tours and appeared on stages from the Shetland Islands to Ryman Auditorium to Merlefest. Gifted musicians and songwriters, the brothers have shared billing with artists including Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Doyle Lawson, Rhonda Vincent, Marty Stuart, Doc Watson and more. The title cut video from their “Memory That Bad” album hit CMT Pure Country’s Top Ten. Their most recent self-titled recording, produced by bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson, was released by Crossroads’ Organic Records in 2015.

If you like cornbread & hush puppies, you’re gonna love the Malpass Brothers. If you like sweet tea, barbecue & collards, you’re gonna love the Malpass Brothers. If you like clean fresh air over a freshly-plowed field, if you like a great big ol’ corn puddin’ at a homecoming covered dish, you’re gonna love the Malpass Brothers. That’s a promise. (And you don’t lie about a covered dish supper.)

This is the real deal, folks. There is no pretense. This is music steeped in the legacy of the Louvin Brothers, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, Sr. & others. Count on classic, real country. Count on new Malpass tunes. Count on a couple of old-time traditional gospels. Count on their probably coming down into the house at intermission and asking what you’d like to hear. Count on giggles and ribbing between brothers, along with daddy on the bass, who’s bound to be thinking, “What the hell are they doing now?” Count on some big, high man hair, and maybe an Elvis twitch or two. Count on lines at the CD table … and count on logging on to see where they’ll be next.

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Reviews

Best service, great people, huge local music support and did I mention the food is the best!?

Lenny T, Cary NC

Best BBQ ever! Love playing here…always the happiest and most accomodating folks around.

George H, via Facebook

Best ribs I’ve had anywhere.
The mac n cheese is incredible. Very reasonable prices and friendly service. Plus live music most nights.

Adam J., Apex, NC

Absolutely DELICIOUS RIBS.
First time here and well better than I expected. Looks grungy from outside, but the food is TOP NOTCH. The ribs felll off the bone. Might be the best ribs in all of DURHAM

John M., Durham, NC

The friendliest place in the Triangle, good music, good food. Always a fun time.

Mike Conway, via Facebook

Get out and see Brice Street this weekend @ the best music venue in Durham!!! Great food and an incredible team of owners , Andrea and Bill!!! AAAAAAAAAAA+++++++++++

Steven B. Hill, via Facebook

Best Blues and BBQ in Durham!

Karen Poole, Durham, North Carolina

This place is the essence of NC bbq!!! Want some fried pickles? The bread pudding is to DIE for!!

Leah Denise Wyatt, Durham, NC

Their ribs, oh my god their ribs. Get them and have a life changing experience.

Taylor Tate, Greensboro, NC

“Great food and blues”
Very small place, but the food and blues jam is something not to be missed! During the blues jam session its like a little community, everyone knows everyone and they are not afraid to introduce themselves! I went for my first time and got introduced to almost everyone. The blues jam was amazing, i had so much fun just sipping on a beer and listening to the musicians.

Shelby L., Raleigh, North Carolina

Great place!
The love music was great and it made for a great atmosphere. I love BBQ and ribs and this place made them both very well and they had good drinks. Our server was efficient and attentive. It was an overall great place with a nice down home feel.

Sean Y., Durham, NC

Great local place for cheap drinks, music, and food! Get the deluxe burrito and be ready to be completely satisfied!

Christine M., Las Vegas, NV

Stumbled upon this place while on vacation, the food was amazing, there was live music. I might make the 8 hour drive from my home just for this.

Caitlyn W., Durham, NC

Alas! A place where yelp reviews did not lead me astray in Durham.
Either places are overhyped or they are bashed and when you visit are actually better than the bashing has stated leaving me happy I didn’t listen and took a risk. This wasn’t the case with Blue Note. It was exactly as described. Quaint, no frills just plain old good food establishment. We sat outside in a quiet side searing area and sipped on $5 special cocktails while enjoying some fresh country air. Hubs ordered half rack of ribs with baked beans and fries. I ordered my go to test in any BBQ joint-pulled pork sandwich and sweet potato fries. We were both quite pleased with portion size, price, service and taste. Most importantly the taste. How perfectly moist and pulled and not overly sauced my sandwich was, with a fresh and not overly mayonnaisey slaw and fresh crisp bread…

Michelle S., Miami, FL

I have fallen in love with this hole in the wall!
First of all, if you’re planning on enjoying the live music (which you should), get there early so you can nab a table inside close to the band. Food wise you definitely must have the wet ribs. I’m usually a pulled pork person because I only like really tender ribs but these ribs were spectacular – literally just fell right off the bone when I tried to pick them up so I had to use a fork. Also get the coleslaw and BBQ bread to soak up any extra sauce…

Anne C., Orlando, FL

The BNG is my second living room. Ok, ok, I know that it’s really Bill and Andrea’s living room, but they seem content to share it with the likes of me and all the other regulars. Our home away from home. Where everybody knows our name. I keep threatening to move into the Boom-Boom Room (their back room.) Thank you both for letting us hang out and feed our musical souls and mouths! By the way, those BBQ ribs are a wonderous thing.

Deborah Miller, Chapel Hill, NC

Voted Best Place

The Blue Note Grill was voted INDY Best of the Triangle 2017: Best Place to hear Blues (winner) and Best Place to hear Bluegrass (finalist)! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your friendship and support! ~ Bill and Andrea Gay Whittington